SEMA 2012: Tjin’s 2013 Camaro 1LE Sets Itself Apart

Neil Tjin is a name that’s synonymous with car customization. He’s been at it for years, lending his talents to Ford, Honda, and of course, GM. He’s built a Camaro and a G8 in the past, but now he’s back at it again with this 2013 example you’e looking at here.

The Vortech Si blower looks right at home under the hood of Tjin's 5G Camaro, and we think it helps give it that attitude than any modern musclecar needs.

Starting with one of the first Camaro 1LEs off the assembly line, Tjin took a road less traveled by respraying the whole car brown. A custom shade of Dupont brown with orange accents to be more precise. On paper it sounds like something straight out of the early 1980’s, but here it actually works, and works well.

But Neil didn’t stop there, he rebuilt the whole car using the latest aftermarket parts that he could get his hands on. Starting with the motor, the LS3 has been left pretty much untouched, apart from the polished Vortech V-3 Si supercharger system that sits on top of it.

The blower kit also incorporates all of the other Vortech items from their catalog that really make sure fuel is delivered to the engine. Items such as the Vortech fuel pump voltage booster and Injector Dynamics fuel injectors help keep the motor from leaning out.

Forcing all of that air into the intake is great, but the performance would be hindered if Neil left the OEM exhaust in place. So out it came, and a set of American Racing long tube headers and a Magnaflow dual exhaust system went in place.

It's in the details that helps this Camaro 1LE stand out from the pack of lookalikes.

Not overlooking the suspension or the brakes, Tjin sought the help from companies like Baer, Pedders, and Exotic Air. Collectively, these components help keep the car planted to the pavement in the event that Neil wants to take his Camaro around some serious corners. This 5th-Gen sits on Rotiform wheels, that measure 21- and 22-inches, and are wrapped in sticky Falken rubber.

The customization continues on the inside too, with most of the cockpit covered in Katzkin leather, a Unique Fabrication custom harness bar, and Glowshift gauges. There are more luxuries in Tjin’s Camaro too, like the Escort Radar IQ radar and navigation unit, a Scosche audio system, and a QStarz LT-Q6000 lap timer.

Overall we this Camaro 1LE looks great, and it has raised the bar as to what is expected from Camaro owners looking to set a trend or at the very least, trying to stand out in a crowd of lookalike Camaros.

We weren’t able to catch up with Neil Tjin while at Vortech’s SEMA booth, but we’re happy to share this car with our readers who couldn’t be there. If you want to see more of this Camaro, and some of Tjin’s other automotive creations, then check out the Tjin Road Show website here.

Article Sources

About the author

Rick Seitz

Being into cars at a very early age, Rick has always preferred GM performance cars, and today's LS series engines just sealed the deal. When he's not busy running errands around town in his CTS-V, you can find him in the garage wrenching on his WS6 Trans Am, or at the local cruise spots in his Grand National.